If there were any doubts about the size of the challenge facing Chris Wilder at the Riverside, the announcement that no less than seven first-team players were leaving Middlesbrough certainly laid bare the extend of required rebuild.
Of the eight players due to depart on July 1st, only the evergreen Jonny Howson was offered fresh terms – and he is not certain to sign on the dotted line anyway, if his recent comments are anything to go by.
The impending exits of Sol Bamba, Lee Peltier, Neil Taylor, Andraz Sporar, Aaron Connolly, Folarin Balogun and James Lea Siliki – plus maybe Howson too – mean Boro will be in the market for reinforcements in almost every outfield position between now and September.
At least speculation over the futures of Dael Fry, Marcus Tavernier and Isaiah Jones – one of the EFL’s most exciting breakthrough stars – has quietened down.
What’s more, in Djed Spence, Middlesbrough have a player who could net the club a substantial cash windfall on the back of an exceptional loan spell at Nottingham Forest.
The rampaging right-back is reportedly valued at £15 million.
Middlesbrough will sell Djed Spence
A fraction of that sum could be re-invested in one of the most prolific attacking midfielders on the market. Scott Twine, MK Dons’ 20-goal top scorer and League One’s Player of the Year, would provide thrust, unpredictability and devilish quality from set-pieces.
West Brom are also admirers of Twine but signed John Swift from Reading this week.
Only one player in Wilder’s squad hit double figures in 2021/22. This, coupled with the departures of three of the club’s first-choice forwards, means a new number nine is a must. Ross Stewart of North East rivals Sunderland is a target, according to The Mirror, with just one year left on his contract.
Sunderland’s promotion back to the Championship strengthens their hand, however. A summer exit is far from guaranteed, with the Black Cats understandably desperate to hang onto their top scorer and talisman.
Another of Middlesbrough’s near neighbours will be more receptive to offers however.
Keep your enemies closer
According to TEAMtalk, Jamal Lewis of Newcastle United is a loan target for Boro and the nouveau-riche Magpies won’t stand in his way. Lewis, who set Newcastle back £15 million just two years ago, is perfectly suited to Wilder’s wing-back system, as is the technically superb Jones on the opposite flank. The Northern Ireland international would also offer the kind of attacking quality often lacking from Taylor and Marc Bola.
According to The Mail, Cameron Humphreys is an option at centre-half. The former Manchester City youngster is leaving Zulte-Waregam on a free transfer. He could slot in neatly alongside Fry and Paddy McNair/Anfernee Dijksteel.
In the midfield, big things are still expected of Martin Payero and Riley McGree. Tavernier, McNair, Howson and Matt Crooks, meanwhile, are among the best in the division on their day.
The lively Jean-Paul Boetius would provide further quality in an attacking sense, with the Dutchman on his way out of Mainz.
Boetius, linked via The Telegraph, admitted recently that he would love to play in England. Gavin Kilkenny of Bournemouth could also be a risk worth taking. The 22-year-old is available on loan, per talkSPORT.
Kilkenny could play a role similar to Oli Norwood’s under Wilder at Sheffield United thanks to his cultured passing range.
Freebies and loanees
Boro also like Bournemouth’s Jack Stacey but already have one of the league’s best right-sided players in Jones. Another intriguing transfer rumour surrounds Jordan Rhodes, the Huddersfield poacher who struggled after joining Boro for an eye-watering £11 million back in 2016.
He’d return, per Alan Nixon, with an almighty point to prove.
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Perhaps the most important task facing Wilder this summer, however, revolves around finding a reliable shot-stopper. One who won’t commit the sort of errors Joe Lumley made on a far-too regular basis throughout 2021/22.
Zander Clark, potentially available on a free from St Johnstone, would certainly be an upgrade on paper.
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